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Committee hears pleas to expand assault protections for commuter-rail and transit workers
Summary
Workers and union leaders told the Joint Committee on the Judiciary that commuter-rail conductors and other transit employees face rising assaults and lack the same legal protections as MBTA employees; sponsors requested a favorable report on House Bill 18-77.
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony urging passage of House Bill 18-77 to make assault and battery against commuter-rail and contractor transit workers a distinct, elevated offense and extend legal protections now available to MBTA employees.
Supporters told the committee that assaults on transit workers are rising and that private-contractor employees performing public transit duties lack statutory parity with MBTA employees. “629 total assaults. 629 too many,” said Bill Baradino, vice president and assistant business agent of Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589, citing 2024 MBTA figures that included verbal assaults, weapon incidents and physical attacks.
Why it matters: Proponents said the bill would close a gap in state law that leaves…
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